7 


I 


— 


p.  s.  <5. 


THE 

WITCH  OF  ROSEN  BURG. 

A 

DEAMA  IN  THREE  ACTS,  r 

COMPOSED  FOR  THE  CHILDREN  OF 

St.  Leo’s  Convent.  Carlow.  1864. 

BY 

HIS  EMINENCE  CARDINAL  WISEMAN, 

Archbishop  of  Westminster. 


boston  college  library 

CHESTNUT  HILL,  MASS. 


NEW  YORK: 

P.  O’SHEA,  27  BARCLAY  STREE'i . 


38540 


The  Witch  of  Rosenburg, 

A 

DRAMA  IN'  THREE  ACTS . 


This  is  the  first  and  only  manuscript  of  the  Drama  written 
by  the  Author,  and  forwarded  to  St.  Leo’s  Convent,  with  his 
Blessing,  and  a request  for  prayers. 

N.  C.  W. 


London,  November  15,  1864. 


, i 


8,  York  Place,  Portman  Square,  London,  W. 

December  12th,  1864. 

My  Dear  Cousin  and  Daughter  in  Christ: 

It  has  pleased  Almighty  God  to  afflict  me  again  with  ill- 
ness, and  I write  from  my  bed. 

Many  thanks  for  your  kind  letter  on  St.  Nicholas’  day ; 
soon  after  this  letter  you  will  receive  a small  box,  addressed 
to  the  Rev.  Mother,  from  me  ; it  is  intended  for  the  Commu- 
nity, and  contains  a little  Christmas  Present,  of  things  from 
the  Tyrol,  not  indeed  of  much  value. 

But  my  special  desire  is  that  it  be  opened  at  recreation  in 
presence  of  all  the  Community,  and  you  will  let  me  know 
if  they  like  it. 

Prayers  if  you  please — to-day  is  the  anniversary  of  your 
foundation. 

Your  affectionate  Father  in  Christ, 

N.  CARD.  WISEMAN. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONAE. 


Countess  Anna  Von  Rosenburg,  living  in  the  Castle  near. 
Bertha,  her  confidential  maid. 

Lotte  (Charlotte*),  Schoolmistress  in  the  village. 
Gretchen  (Margaretf),  her  friend. 

Frau  Plumper,  the  Burgomaster’s  wife. 

Frau  Semmel,  the  Baker’s  wife. 

Frau  Zucker,  the  Grocer’s  wife. 

Their  three  Children,  and  other  girls 

The  Scene  is  in  a mountain  village  in  the  Tyrol. 

[The  openiug  Scene  may  be  changed  into  a wood  by  having 
merely  a curtain  to  fall  before  the  image  in  the  garden,  as 
described  in  Scene  I ] 

The  costumes  as  herewith  sent,  for  the  peasant  women  and 
girls. 

Lotte  in  a simple  dark  gown  and  white  apron,  with  a small 
cap,  as  a stranger,  not  in  costume. 

The  Countess  in  more  ordinary  lady’s  dress,  with  white 
body  and  sleeves,  and  large  hat  with  riband,  &c. 

Bertha  the  same,  plainer,  and  wide  brimmed  straw  hat. 

N.  B. — The  colors  in  different  parts  of  peasants’  dresses 
may  be  varied — red  being  preferred. 

* Karlotle — Lotte — Lotchen. 
t Margart  tie— Greta — Gretchen. 

The  termination  in  shon  is  the  more  familiar  and  affectionate. 


THE  PEOLOGUE. 


If  writing  verse  were  but  a poet’s  work, 

I certainly  should  try  this  job  to  shirk; 

But  I have  no  resource ; I fain  must  go  it, 
Though  I shall  thereby  prove,  I am  no  poet : 

My  orders  are  explicit; — write  a play, 

“ Prologue  and  Epilogue,” — I must  obey; 

And  so  would  you,  if  such  a summons  came, 

So  gently  breathed,  in  dear  St.  Leo’s  name  : 

The  purpose  of  a Prologue  chiefly  is, 

To  tell  the  moral  bearing  of  the  piece. 

Now,  my  wish  is — the  youthful  to  remind, 

Always  to  be  considerate  and  kind, 

Not  to  judge  rashly — nor  defects  to  spy, 

But  estimate  with  heart,  as  well  as  eye : 

Not  to  despise,  in  pride  of  early  strength, 

Those  whom,  of  days,  God  blesses  with  the  length, 
Though  they  may  dim  the  eye,  and  curve  the  frame. 
To  be  hand  to  the  maimed,  foot  to  the  lame: 
Seeking  of  age  the  pains  thus  to  assuage ; 

To  earn  themselves,  one  day,  a painless  age. 

(S) 


10 


THE  PROLOGUE, 


Thus  far  our  poet, — now  it  is  our  turn ; 

If  it  be  his  to  teach, — ’tis  ours  to  learn : 

May  we,  through  life,  to  practise,  never  fail, 

The  lessons  taught  us  in  this  simple  tale! 

Fearless  to  be,  in  innocence’s  cause, 

Heedless  alike  of  censure  or  applause; 

So  let  us  make  of  common  plans  reversal, 

And  treat  what  we  shall  act  as  a rehearsal ; 

What  here  is  fiction — later  will  be  fact . — 

To-day  w e practice,  what  through  life  we  hope  to  act . 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


In  the  reign  of  the  Emperor  Honorius  and  the 
Pontificate  of  Innocent  I.,  there  lived  on  the 
Aventine,  a Roman  Patrician  of  great  wealth, 
named  Euphemianus.  He  had  an  only  son, 
Alexius,  whom  he  educated  in  principles  of  solid 
piety,  and  in  the  practice  of  unbounded  charity. 
When  he  was  grown  up,  but  still  young,  a Divine 
command  ordered  the  son  to  quit  his  father’s 
house,  and  lead  the  life  of  a poor  pilgrim.  He 
accordingly  repaired  to  Edessa,  where  he  lived 
several  years,  while  he  was  sought  for  in  vain 
over  all  the  world.  At  length  he  was  similarly 
ordered  to  return  home;  and  was  received  as  a 
stranger  into  his  father’s  house. 

He  remained  there  as  many  years  as  he  had 
lived  abroad,  amidst  the  scorn  and  ill-treatment 
of  his  own  domestics,  until  his  death : when  first 
a voice,  heard  through  all  the  churches  in  the  city, 
proclaimed  him  a Saint,  and  then  a paper,  written 
by  himself,  revealed  his  history. 


THE  ARGUMENT. 


As  the  years  passed  by  Alexius  in  these  two 
conditions  have  been  variously  stated  by  different 
writers,  in  this  Drama  they  have  been  limited  to 
five  spent  in  each,  or  ten  in  all. 

The  beginning  and  the  close  of  the  second  pe- 
riod, of  that  passed  at  home,  form  the  subject  of 
this  composition ; so  that  five  years  are  supposed 
to  elapse  between  its  two  acts. 

Such  is  the  domestic  history  recorded  in  Rome, 
on  the  A ven tine  Hill,  where  the  beautiful  church 
of  St.  Alexius  yet  stands,  and  is  visited,  on  his 
feast,  by  crowds  of  his  fellow-citizens.  The  view 
from  its  garden  is  one  of  the  most  charming  in 
Rome.  The  basilica  of  Santa  Sabina  is  next  door 
to  it. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG, 


PART  I. 

Scene  I. — A garden,  in  the  centre  of  the  background  a statue 
of  our  Lady  on  a pedestal.  In  front  six  children,  each  hold- 
ing a wreath  of  flowers,  three  on  each  side,  in  lines  diverging 
from  the  statue  towards  the  front,  Lotte  in  plain  dark  robe 
beside  the  image. 

Lotte  and  Children. 

CHORUS  OF  CHILDREN. 

[Air,  the  Tyrolese  Song  of  Liberty.— Moore,'] 

I. 

Joyfully  Mary’s  glories  singing, 

Joyfully  oh  ! joyfully  oh  ! 

Come  we  loving  tribute  bringing, 

Joyfully  oh!  joyfully  oh! 

Mist-clad  echoes  wake  on  the  mountain. 

Drown  the  roaring  dash  from  the  fountain : 
With  her  name  above  them  ringing, 

Joyfully  oh  ! joyfully  oh  ! 

Joyfully,  joyfully,  joyfully,  joyfully,  joyfully, 
joyfully  oh ! 

Joyfully  oh  ! joyfully  oh  ! 


(ID 


12 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBUUG. 


II. 

Lovingly  on  her  footsteps  pressing, 

Lovingly  oh  ! lovingly  oh  ! 

Let  us  gain  her  love  and  blessing, 

Lovingly  oh  ! lovingly  oh  ! 

Mary  be  the  star  on  us  shining, 

Whether  life  be  fresh  or  declining, 

Her  sweet  smile  our  hearts  caressing, 
Lovingly  oh  ! lovingly  oh  ! 

Lovingly,  lovingly,  lovingly,  lovingly,  lovingly, 
lovingly  oh ! 

Lovingly  oh  ! lovingly  oh ! 

« i 

ii  r. 

Happily  round  her  image  closing, 

Happily  oh  ! happily  oh  ! 

Round  her  feet  our  gifts  disposing, 

Happily  oh  ! happily  oh  ! 

Nothing  shall  on  earth  our  hearts  sever, 

Mary’s  children  be  sisters  ever! 

On  her  tender  heart  reposing, 

Happily  oh  ! happily  oh  ! 

Happily,  happily,  happily,  happily,  happily, 
happily  oh ! 

Happily  oh  ! happily  oh ! 


THE  WITCH  OF  KOSENBUKG. 


13 


[At  the  beginning  of  the  third  stanza , the  children , holding  their 
wreaths , move  inwards,  still  singing.  The  two  in  front  go 
slowly  before  the  others  to  the  foot  of  the  image.  Lotte  takes 
their  wreaths  from  them , and  hangs  them , by  small  hooks  on 
them,  to  an  invisible  string  round  the  foot  or  top  of  the  pedestal. 
They  return  to  their  places  behind  the  others  ; so  the  two  next, 
and  the  two  last. 

While  this  is  going  on,  enters  the  Countess  Anna,  dis- 
guised in  a red  cloak  and  hood,  which  completely  covers  her  dress , 
and  conceals  her  features.  She  is  bent  double,  leaning  on  a 
crutched  stick,  and  trembling,  shaking  her  hands  and  head,  as  if 
palsied.  She  creeps  up  slowly,  so  that  when  the  children  have 
finished  and  turn  fairly  round,  she  has  reached  the  middle,  and 
they  see  her. 

The  children  are  terrified,  and  scream,  “A  witch  ! a witch  ! ” 
and  run  away  in  every  direction.'] 

Lotte.  Stop,  stop  ! Don’t  be  so  foolish. 

Child.  A witch  ! a hag ! 

Lotte.  Fear  nothing ; stay  with  me,  dear  children. 

Child.  A witch  ! a witch ! 

[. Exeunt  Children . 

Scene  II. — Lotte  and  Anna 

Anna.  What  is  the  matter?  What  is  the  mean- 
ing of  this  confusion  ? 

Lotte.  Oh,  nothing.  Your  sudden  entrance 
startled  the  poor  children,  and  they  ran  away. 
They  will  no  doubt  return  again. 

Anna.  Were  they  afraid  of  me,  then  ? 

2 


14 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN  I5URG. 


Lotte.  You  know  these  children  of  the  moun- 
tains are  inclined  to  be  carried  away  by  foolish 
terrors.  But  it  will  be  my  care  to  remove  them 
to  the  utmost. 

Anna.  I understand  you.  I heard  their  cries: 
they  believe  me  to  be  a witch.  Do  you  take  me 
for  one  ? 

Lotte.  Oh  no,  no.  I have  no  such  fears. 

Anna.  Are  you  not  from  this  country?  YYur 
dress  seems  foreign. 

Lotte.  Iso  : I came  from  afar,  and  have  only 
been  here  a few  months. 

Anna.  And  you  do  not  shrink  from  a poor  old 
thing  like  me? 

Lotte,  [aside.  What  a sweet  voice  she  has  for 
one  so  old  !]  Why  should  I ? Am  I not  poor 

too? 

Anna.  Yes;  but  you  are  young,  and  I am  old 
and  decrepit. 

Lotte.  Then  so  much  the  more  you  need  assist- 
ance from  the  young. 

Anna.  And  have  you  no  repugnance  to  an  ugly 
old  hag,  as  the  children  called  me? 

Lotte,  [laughing. ] Poor  things ! Do  they  not 
pray  daily  that  their  parents  should  enjoy  a long 
life ; and  is  not  decrepitude,  or  palsy,  or,  if  you 
please,  ugliness,  almost  a condition  of  their 
prayers  being  heard? 


THE  WITCH  OF  IiOSENBUKG. 


15 


Anna.  Then  you  fear  no  mischance  from  me? 
You  do  not  believe  me  to  be  spiteful,  or  mis- 
chievous, or  likely  to  harm  you  ? 

Lotte.  No,  my  good  grandame,  I fear  not  man. 

Anna.  No  ! Then  have  you  no  fear  ? 

Lotte.  Yes,  I have  a twofold  fear,  but  very  differ- 
ent in  their  characters. 

Anna.  What  are  they  ? 

Lotte.  I fear  God,  and  I fear  sin  : the  one  with 
love,  the  other  with  abhorrence. 

Anna.  Happy  the  mother  that  owns  such  a child  ! 
[ Lotte  bursts  into  tears.]  What  is  the  matter, 
child?  Have  I hurt  your  feelings?  [ Sooth- 
ingly.] Have  you  suffered  misfortune  ? 

Lotte.  I have  no  mother  ! I am  a poor  orphan'; 
a friendless  wanderer  upon  earth.  No,  not 
friendless.  [ Pointing  upwards.']  I have  a Father 
there. 

Anna.  O that  I could  be  a mother  to  you  on 
earth  ! But  what  can  a poor  helpless  creature 
like  me  do  for  any  one  ? 

Lottp:.  Much,  very  much. 

Anna.  What? 

Lotte.  Give  the  young  the  merit  of  helping  you. 
\_Puts  a gold  coin  into  Anna’s  hand , who  takes  it] 

Anna.  Thank  you  a. thousand  times.  \_Looks  at 
it  intently.]  But  gold  ! Where  got  you  this  ? 


16 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


You  ill  can  spare  it.  It  is  pierced  and  has  been 
worn.  [ Much  agitated.]  Where  has  it  been? 

Lotte.  It  was  my  poor  mother’s,  and  my  father’s 
before  her.  I have  no  other,  and  feel  ashamed 
to  wear  it  or  keep  it  when  I see  one  before  me 
in  greater  need  than  myself. 

Anna.  But  you  are  poor  yourself. 

Lotte.  Yet  young  and  strong,  and  can  work  for 
my  bread.  The  little  salary  for  my  schooling, 
my  knitting  and  sewing,  give  me  enough  to  live 
on. 

Anna,  [moved.]  Child,  God  will  bless  you  for 
your  charity — yes,  your  fearless  charity  to  a 
poor  helpless  old  stranger.  But  I must  leave 
you.  * 

Lotte.  Will  you  not  come  and  rest  in  my  poor 
cottage  ? It  is  hard  by. 

Anna.  Yo,  thank  you;  you  have  made  me  richer 
than  I have  been  this  many  a day.  Will  you 
give  me  your  arm  to  the  high  road,  and  then  I 
will  totter  along. 

[LOTTE  gives  Anna  her  arm , and  leads  her  out , when  they  come 
to  the  side,  Anna  stops.] 

Anna.  What  were  you  doing  when  I came  in 
here? 

Lotte.  The  children  were  practising  for  a village 
festival  a song  which  I had  composed  and  put 
to  a popular  air  for  them. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


17 


Anna.  And  I appeared  like  a hawk  amongst  your 
chicks,  and  frightened  them  away.  I fear  I 
have  done  you  mischief,  and  yet  you  have  been 
kind  to  me,  and  shown  no  anger. 

Lotte,  [laughing  cheerfully. ] How  could  I have 
acted  otherwise?  I should  not  have  been  a 
Christian  else. 

Anna.  Where  did  you  acquire  these  principles — 
aye,  and  your  accomplishments  ? Poor  children 
do  not  learn  to  compose  songs,  and  put  them  to 
music. 

Lotte.  My  dear  mother,  before  her  death,  secured 
to  me  the  best  education  in  St.  Leo’s  Convent, 
near  the  place  of  my  birth ; it  was  my  only  in- 
heritance, and  my  best. 

Anna.  And  was  it  from  her  you  inherited  your 
courage  ? 

Lotte.  My  father,  whom  I never  knew,  was  an 
officer  of  high  rank.  If  there  is  anything  in  it 
I may  owe  it  to  him. 

Anna,  [starting. ~\  An  officer ! Well,  adieu.  God 
bless  you. 

Lotte.  Good  bye,  my  good  old  dame.  [Leads 
her  out  and  then  returns .] 

2* 


18 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBERG. 


Scene  III. — Lotte  atone . 

Lotte.  Poor  thing ! how  will  she  ever  get  home 
without  help  ? I wonder  where  her  home  is. 
She  seemed  to  be  a stranger  to  the  children. 
Poor  children,  too,  I may  well  say.  That  they 
should  have  been  frightened  away  by  a poor 
harmless  old  woman — taking  her  for  a witch. 
No  doubt  their  parents  will  give  them  a good 
lesson,  perhaps  chastise  them,  for  being  so  weak 
and  silly.  In  the  meantime,  their  little  festival 
has  been  spoiled. 

How  thankful  I ought  to  be  that  a good  edu- 
cation has  made  me  feel  so  differently,  and  only 
compassionately  towards  the  miserable.  Suffer- 
ing ourselves  is  a great  lesson. 

But  what  a mystery  my  own  poor  little  life 
is  to  myself. 

Who  and  what  was  my  father  ? My  mother, 
who  died  so  young,  could  only  tell  me  that  he 
was  a noble  officer  in  garrison,  in  the  distant 
province  where  I was  born,  and  married  her,  a 
poor  peasant;  but  before  he  could  make  his 
marriage  known  to  his  family,  was  killed  in 
quelling  a riot. 

Here  are  his  precious  relics.  [ Taking  them 
from  her  bosom .]  This  is  his  portrait.  [ Kiss - 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


19 


ing  it  and  replacing  it.']  This  is  the  invaluable 
document  which  attests  his  marriage ; this  his 
last  letter,  unfinished  and  without  his  name,  but 
stained  with  his  blood. 

But  of  what  use  are  these  papers  to  me,  who 
know  not  where  to  look  for  his  family  ? I have 
wandered  thus  far,  and  must  rest  contented  to 
end  my  days  as  schoolmistress  at  Rosen  burg. 
[Hears  some  one  coming , and  hastily  puts  back 
the  papers.] 

Scene  IV. — Lotte  and  Gretchen. 

Gretchen.  [ rushing  in , singing  To-le-ra-la,  or 
some  such  cadence.]  What,  dear  Lotchen,  alone? 
I thought  some  of  your  children  would  be  here. 
Have  they  all  run  away  ? What  has  been  the 
matter  ? 

Lotte.  Oh,  nothing.  Have  you  heard  or  seen 
anything  ? 

Gret.  Heard  or  seen  anything?  I should  think 
so.  Both.  I never  saw  such  a regular  hulla- 
baloo in  our  quiet  village. 

First,  I met  the  children  running  in,  scream- 
ing, some  tumbling  over  and  crying.  Among 
these  was  little  Plumper,  the  tailor’s — that  is, 
the  Burgomaster’s — child  [, sarcastically ],  who 


20 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


fell  with  a great  crash  at  her  father’s  door. 
Everybody  came  out  in  a terrible  state,  and 
questioned  the  children,  who  at  first  could  give 
no  account  of  their  panic.  At  last  they  told 
an  incoherent  story  of  a witch  having  appeared, 
nobody  knew  how,  at  the  school,  and  attacked 
them  with  a stick;  that  she  had  two  eyes  like 
coals,  and  a beard  and  hair  like  adders;  and  so 
they  ran  away.  So  I thought  I would  come 
and  learn  the  truth. 

Lotte.  Really,  Gretchen,  I can  hardly  help  laugh- 
ing— only  I fear  the  poor  children  may  have 
really  suffered. 

Gret.  Pooh,  pooh,  Lotchen,  they  will  be  no  worse 
after  they  have  each  had  a cup  of  tea,  or  a thump 
on  the  back,  according  to  the  disposition  of  their 
parents.  But  what  is  it  all  about? 

Lotte.  The  fact  is  that  a poor  old  palsied  woman, 
in  a red  cloak,  made  a sudden  appearance  here, 
while  the  children  were  rehearsing  my  little 
hymn,  when  they  took  wing  like  a flock  of 
starlings.  The  poor  woman  said  not  a word, 
and  I,  who  remained,  never  saw  her  face.  She 
was  bent  double,  and  kept  her  hood  low  down. 

Gret.  [shaking  her  head  gravely .]  Do  you  know, 
Lotchen,  that  I fear  I should  have  run  away 
too.  An  old  woman,  doubled  down,  in  a red 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


21 


cloak,  and  wagging  her  head ! no,  I could 
hardly  have  stood  it.  Ah,  now,  don’t  laugh  at 
me.  You  are  a scholar,  and  I am  only  a poor 
orphan,  that  can  only  knit  and  sew,  and  scarcely 
read.  But  really,  if  all  that  does  not  make  a 
witch,  I don’t  know  what  does. 

Lotte.  Why,  my  dear  Gretchen,  nothing  does. 

Gret.  Nonsense,  now.  You  don’t  mean  that. 

Lotte.  Well,  we  will  talk  it  over.  In  the  mean- 
time— 

Gret.  Why,  look  out  for  squalls.  You  must 
come  away. 

Lotte.  What  for  ? 

Gret.  Because,  before  I came  up  the  hill  here, 
I saw  a solemn  conclave  being  held  in  the 
square  by  Frau  Plumper,  who  was  very  red, 
Frau  Zucker,  who  was  very  pale,  and  Frau 
Semmel,  who  was  very  blue ; and  I’m  sure  there 
was  mischief  brewing  among  them.  They  were 
pointing  this  way.  So  as  Frau  Plumper  went 
in  to  get  her  walking  shoes,  being  always  in 
slippers,  and  I know  she  can  only  go  gingerly 
up  hill,  I ran  straight  up  to  warn  you. 

Lotte.  I am  ready  to  face  them,  and  speak  the 
truth  to  them. 

Gret.  They  will  not  listen  to  you.  So  come  with 
me  to  the  little  chapel  in  the  forest,  and  I will 


22 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


come  back  and  let  you  know  when  the  coast  is 
clear. 

[SAe  takes  Lotte’s  arm,  and  leads  her  away , singing , as  in 
the  opening  chorus  :] 

“ Nothing  shall  on  earth  our  hearts  sever, 
Mary’s  orphans  be  sisters  ever.”  [Exeunt. 

Scene  V. — Enter  Plumper,  Semmel  and  Zucker. 

Plumper.  [ looking  about  and  out  of  breathy  So 
she  is  gone,  is  she  ? A nice  thing,  isn’t  she,  to 
make  us  come  up  all  this  hill,  on  purpose  to  see 
her,  and  she  to  get  out  of  the  way?  [Pufflig.'] 

Sem.  Just  like  her.  But  what  is  to  be  done? 

Zuck.  The  probability  is  that  she  went  off  with 
the  witch.  She  seemed  very  familiar,  as  my 
little  Sophia  told  me,  having  had  courage  to 
look  once  behind  her,  to  pick  up  her  shoe, 
which,  I am  sorry  to  say,  she  ripped  open  on  a 
stone. 

Sem.  Ah,  to  be  sure.  The  children  said  she  had 
a stick.  What  sort  of  stick  was  it,  I wonder? 

Zuck.  Of  course,  as  she  was  a witch,  it  must  have 
been  a broomstick. 

Sem.  No  doubt.  Indeed,  I think  some  of  the 
dear  children  said  that  it  was  a broomstick, 
with  the  broom  end  upwards,  on  which  she 
leaned  all  her  weight.  She  could  not  have 
leaned  so  on  the  top. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


23 


Plump.  It  seems  all  plain  now.  To-night  is  the 
Walpurgis  night,  when  all  the  witches  meet  in 
the  Karz  mountains,  to  which  they  ride  through 
the  air.  Witches  are  always  skinny,  you  know, 
and  this  wicked  Lotte  is  not  stout,  so  probably 
one  broomstick  did  for  both. 

Sem.  How  else  could  the  witch  have  got  away? 
Plump.  Exactly.  You  know  that  at  my  request 
my  man  Karl,  that  is  the  Burgomaster,  who 
never  refuses  me  anything  reasonable,  and  of 
course  I never  ask  for  anything  else,  sent  off 
Hans  and  Fritz,  his  two  most  nimble  journey- 
men, in  pursuit — one  up,  one  down  the  road. 
Hans,  who,  though  thin  in  body  and  long  in 
legs,  is  very  courageous,  ran  much  farther  than 
it  was  possible  for  so  old,  doubled,  and  palsied 
a creature  to  have  got.  Yet  he  met  nobody  ex- 
cept the  Countess,  who  was  hurrying  before  him 
to  her  carriage,  with  Bertha,  carrying  a large 
bundle,  which  he  believed  to  be  a blanket  for 
6ome  poor  person. 

So,  nothing  daunted,  he  asked  her  boldly  if 
she  had  seen  or  passed  a witch  on  the  road. 

Zuck.  And  what  did  she  answer?  She  must 
have  been  much  alarmed. 

Plump.  Not  at  all.  As  he  told  me  when  he 
called  me  aside  on  our  way  up  here,  she  only 


24 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBERG. 


smiled  and  said,  “ My  good  friend,  how  am  I 
to  tell  a witch  from  anybody  else?” 

Sem.  Of  course,  he  had  no  difficulty  in  answering 
that. 

Plump.  Oh,  as  he  described  her : red  cloak,  bent 
double,  shaking,  &c. 

Sem.  What  did  she  say  then  ? 

Plump.  Why  she  actually  laughed  out,  and  so 
did  Mam’selle  Bertha.  Then  the  Countess  re- 
plied: “I  assure  you,  we  have  neither  passed 
nor  met  any  one  such  as  you  describe.” 

Zuck.  All  this  comes  of  your  fine  education,  now- 
a-days,  which  makes  people  laugh  at  what  their 
forefathers  believed. 

Plump.  Yes;  Hans,  who  is  a very  mild  and 
right-thinking  youth,  though  slender,  said  he 
was  rather  hurt  by  such  levity.  However, 
though  she  has  escaped  this  time,  she  will  not 
the  next. 

Karl,  that  is  the  Burgomaster,  will  have  her 
looked  after,  and  brought  to  benign  punishment. 

Sem.  And  what  would  that  be? 

Plump.  Well,  I believe,  strictly  speaking,  it 
would  be  burning  to  death. 

Zuck.  Oh,  shocking!  terrible  ! That  would  never 
do.  I like  a bonfire  very  much ; but  I own  I 
could  not  look  at  one,  with  even  a wicked  witch 
inside  of  it. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


25 


Plump.  Well,  then,  there  is  a milder  treatment 
by  water. 

Zuck.  How  is  that? 

Plump.  By  ducking  her  in  a pond. 

Sem.  Well,  that  is  better;  but  I should  be  sorry 
to  go  even  so  far.  Suppose,  therefore,  that  we 
leave  matters  of  law  to  the  men,  and  look  to 
our  own  affairs.  Do  you  think  the  witch  has 
done  any  harm  so  far? 

Plump.  I hope  not.  For  my  part,  when  my  lit- 
tle pet  came  running  in  like  a frightened  dove, 
I did  not  for  a moment  lose  my  presence  of 
mind.  Poor  Karl,  that  is  the  Burgomaster, 
was  measuring  a new  customer  for  a jacket, 
and  dropped  his  measure  in  his  fright,  and  let 
the  shears  fall  on  his  foot.  But  I immediately 
seized  the  child,  and  gave  her  a good  shaking, 
to  bring  her  back  to  her  senses.  When  she 
had  told  me  about  the  witch,  I added  a few 
smart  whacks  between  the  shoulders,  to  make 
her  cough,  in  case  she  had  swallowed  a lot  of 
crooked  pins.  Then  I looked  and  saw  she  did 
not  squint  with  the  other  eye,  and  that  her 
feet  were  not  more  turned  in  than  they  were 
before,  poor  child  ! so  I was  satisfied. 

Zuck.  What  a good  mother  you  are,  Frau  Plump- 
er ; I never  thought  of  any  of  these  remedies. 

3 


26 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


Sem.  Nor  I.  But  now  what  is  to  be  done  about 
that  sly  creature  Lotte  ? 

Plump.  Why  certainly — [_A  singing  Tol-la-rol  is 
heard7\  There  is  that  silly  Gretchen  coming. 
She  will  tell  us  where  she  is  to  be  found. 

[Enter  Gretchen,  tripping  in.'] 

Scene  VI. — The  same  and  Gretchen. 

Gret.  [astonished. I beg  pardon,  ladies;  you 
here?  What  has  happened  to  bring  you  up 
here  ? 

Plump.  Why,  have  you  not  heard  ? 

Gret.  [< aside .]  I don’t  choose  to  have  heard. 
[Aloud. ] Pray  tell  me. 

Plump.  Surely  you  know  that  a witch  has  been 
here,  and  that  your  friend  Lotte  is  deeply  in- 
volved in  her  sudden  disappearance. 

Gret.  Indeed;  how? 

Zuck.  Yes,  indeed.  The  witch  and  Lotte  vanished 
at  the  same  time ; and  as  no  one  can  doubt  as 
to  how  the  one  travelled,  there  is  strong  suspi- 
cion that  Lotte  went  by  the  same  conveyance. 

Gret.  And  what  is  that? 

Sem.  Don’t  affect  ignorance.  You  know  very 
well. 

Gret.  Then  was  that  person  whom  I saw  with 
Lotto  in  the  wood,  certainly  the  witch? 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


27 


All.  [ eagerly  rushing  forward.']  Most  certainly. 
Do  tell  us  all  you  have  seen. 

Plump.  What  was  her  height? 

Gret.  About  my  own. 

Zuck.  Hideously  ugly  ? 

Gret.  Not  more  than  I am. 

Sem.  In  a red  cloak  ? 

Gret.  No:  in  a peasant’s  ordinary  dress. 

Plump.  Then  it  is  plain  the  witch  had  trans- 
formed herself  into 

Gret.  Me! 

All.  [ indignantly ,]  How!  are  you  the  witch  in 
the  form  of  Gretchen? 

Plump.  If  so,  heaven  be  ’twixt  us  and  harm. 
Avaunt,  avaunt  you ! 

Gret.  [ laughing  immoderately .]  No,  no,  no,  I am 
only  Gretchen,  the  poor  orphan  girl. 

[ The  others  come  forward \ having  shrunk  away , repeating , Avaunt, 
you,  you  witch  !] 

Zuck.  How  dare  you  frighten  honest  people  by 
pretending  to  be  a witch  ? 

Gret.  I ? I never  did  any  such  thing.  I was 
the  person  with  whom  Lotte  went  away  into 
the  wood.  So  if  it  was  the  witch  that  went 
away  with  her,  I must  be,  madam,  the  liexe.* 


* Witch. 


28 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBUUG. 


But  see,  here  poor  Lotchen  herself  conies,  im- 
patient, no  doubt,  for  my  return  according  to 
promise. 

Scene  VII. — The  same  and  Lotte. 

Lotte.  My  dear  Gretchen,  I got  anxious  to  see 
you  return,  so  I came  after  you.  Ladies,  good 
morning!  To  what  do  I owe  the  pleasure  of 
this  unexpected  visit  ? 

Plump.  To  a previous  visit,  from  a perhaps  more 
welcome  guest. 

Lotte.  Indeed!  Pray,  from  whom  ? For  surely 
there  are  none  in  the  village  for  wThom  I ought 
to  feel,  or  do  feel,  more  regard  than  the  ladies 
who  so  kindly  patronize  me,  and  entrust  me 
with  the  education  of  their  children. 

Plump.  Yes,  and  a pretty  return  we  have;  and  a 
nice  education  they  get. 

Lotte  How,  Warn?  I own  I am  very  defici- 
ent, but  I trust  I do  my  best. 

Zuck.  I suppose  by  introducing  them  to  such 
company  as  nearly  frightened  them  to  death 
this  morning. 

Lotte.  How  could  I help  that  poor  old  creature 
coming  inside  the  gate,  to  see  and  hear  those 
pretty  children  ? 


THE  WITCH  OP  ROSEXBU  RG. 


29 


Sem.  Yes,  very  likely,  indeed.  As  if  she  was 
not  your  friend,  the  horrid  thing  ! You  seemed 
very  familiar  with  her. 

Lotte.  Not  more  than  I hope  always  to  be  with 
any  distressed  object  of  compassion. 

Plump.  Hear  her,  hear  her ! A witch  is  to  her 
an  object  of  compassion. 

Gret.  Gently,  gently,  mother  Plumper,  you  have 
no  proof  that  it  was  a witch. 

Plump.  No  proof!  A hideous,  crooked  hag 

Gret.  Who  saw  her  face? 

Lotte.  Certainly, /did  not. 

Gret.  Did  any  of  the  children  ? Did  yours  ? 

Plump.  Well,  I don’t  think  she  did. 

Gret.  Or  yours  ? 

Zuox.  She  couldn’t  on  account  of  the  hood. 

Gret.  Or  yours  ? 

Sem.  She  never  said  she  did. 

Gret.  Then  on  whose  authority  do  you  report 
her  supreme  ugliness? 

Plump.  What  stuff!  \IIuffed7\  As  if  it  was  pos- 
sible that  a witch  should  be  otherwise  than 
hideous. 

Gret.  Oh,  now  I see.  She  was  a witch  because 
she  was  ugly,  and  she  was  ugly  because  she  was 
a witch.  [ Curtseying 

Plump.  Did  you  ever  hear  such  impudence  ? 


30 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN  BURG. 


Lotte.  Do  not  be  angry,  ma’am,  with  poor  Gret- 
chen ; after  all,  she  only  spoke  the  truth. 

Zuck.  You  had  better  mind  your  own  affairs; 
you  have  plenty  to  think  for  yourself.  Do  you 
think  I will  ever  send  my  children  again  to  be 
taught  by  one  who  makes  light  of  charmers  and 
soothsayers  ? 

Lotte.  I know  what  penalty  your  withdrawal  of 
your  children  will  inflict  on  me.  In  the  name 
of  justice,  then,  answer  me,  before  I am  con- 
demned. [ With  dignity. Tell  me,  then,  Dame 
Zucker,  since  I came  here,  three  months  ago, 
have  your  children  gone  back,  or  have  they  ad- 
vanced? Have  they  applied  more  or  less? 
Have  they  learnt  more  and  better  than  previ- 
ously ? Have  you  praised  or  blamed  their  mis- 
tress and  their  education?  You  hesitate;  come, 
answer,  for  the  sake  of  justice  and  truth  to  the 
heavens  above. 

Zuck.  [ abashed. ] Well,  I own  that  till  to-day, 
when  my  dear  little  Sophia  came  running  in 
with  her  shoe  ripped  up,  I have  never  had  cause 
to  complain. 

Lotte.  And  you,  Frau  Semmel,  do  you  intend  to 
remove  your  child  ? 

Sem.  Most  certainly.  I would  not  think  of  leav- 
ing her  with  the  friend  of  conjurers  and  fortune- 
tellers. 


THE  WITCH  OF  KOSENBUKG. 


31 


Lotte.  Be  it  so;  but  I conjure  you  to  answer  me 
in  all  sincerity : Since  your  daughter  has  been 
under  my  care,  has  she  become  more  or  less 
docile,  obedient,  cheerful  ? Has  she  diminished 
in  affection  to  you  and  her  family ; or  has  she 
been  morose,  ill-tempered  and  selfish?  Speak 
out  the  truth,  and  heaven  will  bless  you. 

Sem.  Well,  I must  own  that  she  is,  in  all  these 
respects,  wonderfully  changed  for  the  better,  in 
the  last  three  months. 

Lotte.  Thank  you ; this  is  indeed  a consolation. 
And  now,  Madam  Plumper,  upon  whom  I know 
my  fate  depends,  more  than  on  any  one  else, 
tell  me  if  your  child  has  of  late  become  more 
serious  and  steady,  more  truthful,  more  recol- 
lected, more  watchful  to  correct  her  failings — in 
fine,  more  religious,  edifying  and  devout,  since, 
than  before  she  came  under  my  tuition? 

Plump.  Oh,  I admit  all  this.  Certainly  she  is 
most  remarkably  improved  since  you  came. 
But  how  am  I to  know  that  all  this  does  not 
come  from  magical  arts  and  charms?  I will 
run  no  risk.  We  three  are  patronesses  of  the 
school,  and  it  cannot  last  one  day  after  we  with- 
draw our  protection.  We  can  easily  find  another 
mistress. 

Ghet.  [curtseying. ] Pray,  ma’am,  take  me ; I can 


32 


THE  WITCH  OF  KOSENBUKG. 


teach  your  children  the  clever  use  of  the  knit- 
ting-needles and  spinning  wheel,  to  which  they 
had  better  return,  since  you  do  not  seem  to 
value  dear  Lotchen’s  learning  and  the  moral 
good  she  has  taught  your  children. 

Lotte.  Peace,  dear  Gretchen.  Ladies,  I own  I 
was  not  prepared  for  this  sudden  close  of  my 
occupation  here.  After  much  wandering  and 
much  suffering,  Providence  seemed  to  have 
guided  my  footsteps  here.  I hoped  that,  in 
my  humble  sphere,  I was  doing  my  best  to 
discharge  my  duties,  and  not  unsuccessfully. 
I looked  forward  to  years  of  peace  in  contented 
poverty.  I love  the  children  of  Rosenburg, 
and  they  appeared  to  love  me.  I looked  for- 
ward to  see  them  grow  up  round  me,  not  so 
much  patronesses  as  friends ; and  then  to  sleep 
among  them  in  the  “dear  God’s  field,”  with 
my  little  wooden  cross  over  me,  on  which  some 
of  them  would  hang,  sometimes,  a garland, 
with  the  simple  inscription,  “ Lotte,  the  School- 
mistress.” 

Zuck.  [ moved, ] Really,  Frau  Plumper,  perhaps, 
you  know 

Sem.  You  know  it  may  have  all  been  an  unfortu- 
nate accident. 

Plump.  No  such  thing.  We  should  be  disgraced 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


33 


if  we  tolerated  it.  AVhat  would  the  people  of 
Blum  and  Spondel  and  Stein  say  of  Kosenburg, 
if  they  heard  it?  No,  Miss  Lotte,  go  you 
must.  Only  one  thing  I beg:  go  away  alto- 
gether, and  do  not  remain  in  our  neighborhood, 
to  draw  away  our  children. 

Lotte.  Madam,  I will  obey  you  so  far  as  I ac- 
knowledge your  authority ; but  must  decline  to 
do  so  further.  I am  alone  in  the  world  ; I have 
no  roof  over  my  head  when  I leave  the  school- 
house. 

Gret.  Yes,  yes ; you  have  one  in  my  garret : you 
shall  share  all  with  me.  “ Mary’s  orphans  ever 
sisters  be.” 

Lotte.  Iso,  dear  Gretchen,  it  cannot  be;  I will 
honestly  earn  my  own  bread,  and  I will  seek  it 
where  I may  still  see  my  dear  little  ones,  and 
pray  in  our  sweet  church. 

Gret.  But  where  will  you  obtain  occupation  ? 

Lotte.  Dear  friend,  you  know  that  the  orphan  is 
not  fatherless.  Never  yet  have  I been  forsaken 
in  my  many  wanderings.  I have  heard  much 
of  the  unbounded  kindness  and  charity  of  the 
Countess  Anna : perhaps  she  will  give  me  some 
little  to  do  while  I look  about  me. 

Gret.  [ciside^]  I will  take  that  hint,  and  see  what 
I can  do.  [ Aloud. ] Yes,  I think  that  good  aud 


34 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


noble  lady  will  take  a more  generous  view  of 
your  case  than  these  good  village  dames. 

Plump.  [ aloud  and  indignant .]  It  shall  be  my 
care,  miss,  to  inform  the  Countess  of  all  that 
has  happened ; and  she  is  too  good  a Christian 
to  countenance  witchcraft  and  sorcery.  So  put 
no  hopes  there,  but  leave  at  once,  and  let  us 
never  see  you  again. 

CHORUS. 

[Plumper,  Semmel  and  Zucker.] 

Wicked  girl,  begone,  begone ; 

Go  : avaunt,  thou  witch's  friend ! 

Henceforth,  of  our  children,  none 

Thy  false  teaching  shall  attend. 

[Gretchen  is  in  tears : on  one  side  with  Zucker,  the  other  two 
on  the  other . Towards  the  end , Lotte,  who  is  in  the  middle, 
looking  upwards , with  her  hands  clasped,  throws  out  her  arms , 
still  with  her  eyes  to  heaven,  when  the  curtain  drops.  ] 


END  OF  PART  I. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


?5 


ACT  II. 

Scene  I. — A forest ; Lotte  and  Gretchen  discovered , seated 
on  a low  rock  or  stone , GRETCHEN  with  her  right  hand  cov- 
ering her  eyes , and  her  left  in  Lotte’s  rights  sobbing. 

Lotte  and  Gretchen. 

Lotte.  Courage,  my  dear  sister,  courage ! Con- 
sole yourself!  \_Gret,  so&s.]  Why  really  one 
would  think  that  you  are  the  one  who  is  driven 
out  homeless  and  shelterless,  and  not  I. 

' Grp:t.  And  so  I am  equally  with  you.  \They  rise.~] 

Lotte.  How,  dearest? 

Gret.  Because  I am  determined  to  share  your 
fate  altogether.  Either  you  come  home  with 
me  and  share  my  garret  and  my  crust,  or  I re- 
main with  you  in  the  forest  till  you  have  found 
a home. 

Lotte.  No,  my  dear  child,  this  cannot  be.  It  is 
unreasonable  and  unkind. 

Gret.  Why  so?  AVhy  at  least  unkind? 

Lotte.  Because  if  Providence , in  its  wisdom,  has 
driven  me  abroad,  a poor  wanderer,  it  is  un- 
reasonable for  man  to  do  the  same  to  another, 
without  having  the  same  wisdom  ; and  it  is  un- 
kind in  him  to  double  that  trial  which  God  has 
inflicted. 


36 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEJSBURG. 


Gret.  And  should  I do  that? 

Lotte.  Certainly,  dearest  sister ; to  see  you  suffer 
as  much  as  myself  would  be  to  double  my 
measure  of  unhappiness.  So  let  me  bear  my 
burden  alone,  till  better  days.  They  will  soon 
come. 

Gret.  Then  come  and  share  my  humble  roof  and 
fare. 

Lotte.  That,  too,  is  quite  impossible. 

Gret.  Why? 

Lotte.  Imagine  what  a most  unpleasant  position 
it  would  be  for  all  parties,  for  those  ladies  and 
myself  to  be  meeting  every  minute,  face  to  face, 
and  either  to  be  passing  one  another  cold  and 
hard,  or  paying  insincere  courtesies. 

Gret.  Well,  I have  no  doubt,  Lotchen,  that  you 
do  not  speak  this  way  through  pride.  But  if 
I had  been  treated  as  abominably  as  you  have, 
my  spirit  would  be  up,  and  I should  delight  in 
tossing  up  my  head  like  a young  heifer  every 
time  I passed  those  great  ladies.  However, 
never  mind,  won’t  I do  so  for  you  ! 

Lotte.  Ko,  my  dear  Gretchen,  don’t  do  any  such 
thing.  Listen  to  me.  For  three  months  I 
have  been  doing  my  best  to  inculcate  on  the 
neglected  village  children  the  duty  of  docile 
obedience  to  their  parents,  I have  particularly 


THE  WITCH  OF  EOSENBUEG. 


37 


taught  them  to  respect  their  judgment,  and  not 
to  set  their  own  above  it,  nor  to  consider  them 
stupid  or  ignorant,  nor  ordinarily  in  the  wrong. 

Gbet.  Well,  Lotchen,  I own  you  are  cleverer 
than  I thought  you,  if  you  have  made  them 
think  that . 

Lotte.  Well,  never  mind.  The  children,  I know, 
love  me ; and  what  a pretty  finish  I should  put 
to  all  my  teaching  were  I now  so  to  act  as  to 
force  them  by  my  presence  to  one  of  these 
alternatives : either  to  take  part  with  their 
parents,  and  so  cease  to  love  me,  or  to  take  my 
side,  and  so  through  me  lose  that  filial  deference 
which  I have  so  strongly  impressed  on  them. 

Gbet.  [ seizing  Lotte's  hand .]  Oh,  my  darling 
Lotchen,  how  good  and  considerate  you  are ! 

Lotte.  Dear  Gretchen,  the  memory  of  children, 
while  such,  is  very  short.  I would  rather  slip 
gradually  out  of  their  minds,  with  a slowly 
lingering  love,  than  be  remembered  as  the  fire- 
brand  that  kindled  enmities  in  households. 
And  then  there  is  a higher  consideration  still. 

Gbet.  What  can  that  be? 

Lotte.  I have  been  ever  endeavoring  to  instil 
into  those  tender  minds  never  to  retain  malice, 
or  worse,  a grudge,  still  less  display  one.  In 
their  little  childish  quarrels,  I have  tried  to 
4 


38 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN  BURG. 


make  them  feel  that  the  one  who  considered,  or 
knew  herself  right,  should  be  the  first  to  give 
way  and  make  it  up,  on  the  ground  that  she 
could  best  afford  to  be  generous.  What  will 
all  my  past  teaching  be  worth  if  now,  believing 
myself  right,  I show  stubbornness  and  resent- 
ment ? 

On  the  other  hand,  how  happy  ought  I to 
feel,  and  even  thankful,  that  an  opportunity  has 
been  afforded  me  of  teaching  by  example  the 
most  difficult  of  my  lessons.  Perhaps  my  heavy 
trial  has  been  sent  to  me  on  purpose. 

Gret.  Dear  good  Lotchen,  you  are  right.  Indeed 
you  are  sure  to  be  right,  while  I,  a poor  clumsy 
country  girl,  am  sure  to  be  wrong.  You  ought 
to  have  been  born  a princess. 

Lotte.  Hush,  hush,  Gretchen;  no  murmuring, 
please. 

Gret.  However,  you  do  not  want  to  leave  the 
neighborhood  ? 

Lotte.  No  ; as  I have  said,  I have  an  impression 
that  I may  yet  do  some  good  here,  and  perhaps 
from  time  to  time  catch  a glimpse  of  my  dear 
children,  without  giving  offence. 

Gret.  And  you  would  not  refuse  occupation  from 
our  noble  lady  ? 

Lotte.  Certainly  not ; I have  heard  so  much  of 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


39 


her  kindness.  But  how  approach  her  ? I have 
never  spoken  to  her. 

Gret.  Leave  that  to  me.  Go  and  rest  again  in 
the  little  chapel  for  a short  time,  and  when  you 
are  tired  come  back  here. 

[Leads  her  away , then  returns . 

Scene  II. — Gretchen  and  Bertha 

Gret.  So  now,  Gretchen,  let  us  see  what  your 
little  head  is  fit  for.  It  is  yet  early  in  the  day, 
and  I shall  be  but  a poor  manager  if  dear 
Lotchen  sleeps  in  the  woods  to-night.  Every- 
body is  kind  to  me  about  here,  and  there  is 
hardly  a cottage  that  will  not  take  her  in  for 
me ; and  gratis,  too,  for  I fear  we  have  neither 
of  us  much  to  pay  a lodging  with.  By  the  by, 
the  poor  thing  has  eaten  nothing;  how  shall  I 
manage  that?  Oh,  here  comes  one  that  will 
help  me. 

[ Enter  Bertha.] 

Bertha.  Good  day,  Gretchen. 

Gret.  Good  day,  Mam’selle  Bertha.  You  are 
the  very  person  I wanted  most  to  see. 

Ber.  How  fortunate!  But  tell  me,  was  that 
Lotte,  the  village  schoolmistress,  that  you  part- 
ed with  just  now? 


40 


THE  WITCH  OF  R03ENBURG. 


Gret.  The  village  schoolmistress  that  was. 

Ber.  How!  not  that  is  now ? 

Gret.  That  was  a few  hours  ago,  but  that  has 
been  summarily  dismissed  and  sent  out  a poor 
lonely  outcast  on  the  world.  Poor  child ! 

Ber.  By  whom  ? 

Gret.  By  the  great  dames  of  Rosenburg,  Madam 
Plumper  & Co. 

Ber.  What  for  ? 

Gret.  For  a great  crime,  no  doubt.  For  nothing 
less  than  harboring  and  abetting,  as  I have 
heard  Herr  Papickschonntzer,  the  notary,  call 
it,  a witch. 

Ber.  A witch ! 

Gret.  Yes;  a witch  in  a red  cloak.  [. Bertlia 
laughs  violently .]  Yes,  you  may  laugh,  who 
have  the  best  of  the  castle  up  there.  But  it  is 
no  laughing  matter  to  poor  Lotchen  [hurt]}  who 
may  have  to  pass  the  night  with  the  wolves  in 
the  forest ; for  she  won’t  share  my  lodging,  out 
of  pure  delicacy. 

Ber.  Pardon  me,  dear  Gretchen ; I assure  you  I 
was  laughing  at  anything  but  poor  Lotte.  She 
shall  not  sleep  in  the  wood.  I will  see  to  that. 
But  tell  me,  do  you  know  anything  of  her  his- 
tory? You  seem  to  be  her  only  friend.  Does 
she  make  any  mystery  of  her  life? 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


41 


Gret.  Oh,  dear,  no.  She  is  too  simple  for  that. 
That  she  is  a lady  born  I have  no  doubt:  every- 
thing about  her,  except  her  dress,  shows  that. 

Ber.  Then  what  account  does  she  give  of  herself? 

Gret.  She  is  incapable  of  boasting,  but  she  has 
told  me  several  things. 

Ber.  She  was  an  officer’s  child,  was  she  not? 

Gret.  [surprised.']  Who  told  you  that? 

Ber.  Oh,  I heard  it  somewhere. 

Gret.  Well,  that  is  strange.  But  it  is  true.  Her 
father  seems  to  have  been  killed  in  an  engage- 
ment soon  after  his  marriage  with  a peasant 
girl,  her  mother,  who  died  while  she  was  yet 
young,  leaving  means  to  educate  her.  She 
wandered  in  search  of  her  family,  till,  broken 
down  with  fatigue  and  disappointment,  she  ac- 
cepted her  late  office. 

Ber.  But  perhaps  this  history  may  be  the  result 
of  an  illusion  without  proof. 

Gret.  Illusion,  Miss  Bertha ! Lotte  is  incapable 
of  illusion.  She  has  every  proof  in  papers 
carefully  preserved.  Unfortunately  her  father’s 
name  is  torn  out  of  the  certificate  of  marriage, 
except  his  title  of  Count  Ludwig 

Ber.  [astonished.]  Count  Ludwig? 

Gret.  Yes;  but  then  she  has  a miniature  of  him 
round  her  neck,  which  it  would  be  impossible 
4* 


42 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


not  to  recognize  as  the  portrait  of  Lotchen’s 
father. 

Ber.  [ agitated. ~\  Would  it  be  possible  to  see  these 
various  objects? 

Gret.  When  once  she  is  quietly  in  some  home, 
however  humble,  she  will  refuse  you  nothing. 
You  do  not  know  her  yet,  as  I do;  you  will, 
perhaps,  one  day. 

Ber.  Thanks,  Gretchen,  I must  go  to  procure  her 
shelter.  But,  one  moment  more,  I fear  she  may 
be  in  want  of  food.  Is  she  in  distress? 

Gret.  Well,  I doubt  if  she  has-  taken  anything 
to-day.  She  should  want  for  nothing  that  I 
might  have  to  give.  But  unfortunately  I live 
by  my  daily  toil,  and  to-day  I have  earned 
nothing.  As  for  poor  Lotchen,  I suspect  her 
purse  is  as  empty  as  mine. 

Ber.  [ taking  out  her  purse. ] I thought  she  was 
better  off.  She  gave  a gold  piece  very  lately  to 
a poor  person.  It  seemed  to  have  been  worn 
as  a keepsake;  and  so  it  has  come  into  my 
hands. 

Gret.  Dear,  unselfish  soul ! She  must  have  parted 
with  one  of  the  proofs  of  her  birth  in  charity ! 
It  was  a coin  with  a saint’s  figure  on  it,  left  her 
as  father’s.  No : she  would  give  her  heart 
away  to  a poor  person.  But  if  she  parted  with 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


43 


that  coin,  depend  upon  it  she  had  not  a penny 
left. 

Ber.  [ giving  her  money. ] Go,  good  Gretchen  ; run 
and  bring  your  admirable  friend  some  nourish- 
ment as  quickly  as  possible. 

Gret.  God  bless  you,  Mam’selle  Bertha.  Per- 
haps, however,  I had  better  go  round,  and  tell 
Lotte  not  to  come  here  till  I fetch  her.  She 
might  be  startled  at  finding  you  instead  of  me. 

Ber.  That  is  quite  right.  And  pray,  Gretchen, 
say  nothing  about  the  Countess  to  her — you 
must  for  the  present  deal  with  me. 

[Exit  Gretchen . 

Scene  III.— Bertha  and  Countess  Anna. 

Anna.  My  true  Bertha,  have  you  made  anything 
out  of  the  doings  in  the  village? 

Ber.  Yes,  all.  And,  my  kind  mistress,  I have 
much  to  tell  you,  which  will,  I think,  astonish 
you. 

Anna.  But  first  let  me  know  something  about 
this  poor  girl  whom  you  know  I have  taken  an 
almost  foolish  fancy  for. 

Ber.  No,  Madam,  not  foolish  ; quite  the  contrary. 
She  is  worthy  of  all  your  patronage,  and  per- 
haps more. 


44 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBERG. 


Anna.  In  what  wav  ? 

Ber.  She  seems,  by  all  account,  not  merely  a 
well-educated  girl,  but  of  a most  refined  and 
virtuous  mind,  religious,  charitable,  and  unsel- 
fish in  the  highest  degree. 

O o 

Anna.  Of  the  last,  I think  we  have  evidence  in 
that  gold  piece  which  I put  into  your  hands  to 
learn  the  history  of.  Have  you  made  it  out? 

Ber.  I think  I have.  But  I must  tell  you  about 
it  more  at  leisure,  as  it  must  be  talked  of  with 
other  things.  For  the  present,  there  is  some- 
thing still  more  urgent. 

Anna.  What  is  that  ? 

Ber.  That  poor  Lotte  is  wandering  here  in  the 
forest,  without  a roof  for  the  night  or  bread  for 
the  day. 

Anna.  Is  that  possible?  Did  those  village  ladies 
turn  her  adrift  without  any  compensation  ? Had 
she  no  little  savings  about  her? 

Ber.  Not  a farthing.  In  giving  that  gold  piece  to 
the  witch  that  you  know  something  of,  which  is 
now  in  my  hands,  she  gave  away  her  last  coin. 
In  fact  she  gives  away  everything. 

Anna.  [ moved  and  serious.']  And  yet,  Bertha,  we 
consider  ourselves  charitable  and  expect  lavish 
thanks  when  we  drop  the  overflow  of  our  purses 
on  the  heads  of  the  poor.  Surely,  it  is  the 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBU RG. 


45 


truest  charity  when  the  cup  of  cold  water  which 
was  just  rising  to  the  lips  of  the  weary  poor  is 
turned  aside  and  placed  between  those  of  one 
poorer  and  thirstier.  Not  only  the  widow’s 
copper  mites,  but  this  orphan’s  golden  token, 
will  one  day  rise  in  judgment  against  us.  But 
we  are  iosing  time  about  her. 

Ber.  I hope  not.  I have  sent  her  trusty  and 
loving  friend  Gretchen  to  provide  her  refresh- 
ments at  once.  A lodging  is  the  next  thing. 

Anna.  Oh,  that  is  easily  done.  There  is  poor 
Elizabeth,  whose  son  is  gone  from  home,  and 
who  keeps  her  cottage  so  neat,  who  will  gladly 
let  her  empty  room. 

Ber.  Nothing  could  be  better.  I will  see  to  all 
arrangements.  You  had  better  not  appear  in 
the  matter.  I will  settle  it  with  Gretchen. 

Anna.  Do,  please.  When  you  have  told  me  all 
you  know  about  her,  and  I satisfy  myself  of 
the  truth  of  her  history,  it  will  be  time  enough 
for  me  to  see  her.  If  she  be  truly  an  officer’s 
daughter,  which  may  account  for  that  coin  hav- 
ing got  into  her  hands,  we  can  easily  provide 
for  her  in  a manner  more  befitting  her  rank. 
Should  it  turn  out  to  be  a mistake,  for  ‘deceit  is 
not  to  be  thought  of  here,  it  will  have  spared 


46 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


her  some  pain  and  mortification  not  to  Iiave 
seen  me. 

Ber.  True  indeed,  and  most  delicate  on  your  part. 
But  here  comes  Gretchen. 

Scene  IV. — The  same  and  Gretchen. 

Ber.  Well,  Gretchen,  is  all  right?  You  have 
been  very  quick. 

Gret.  [i respectfully  curtseying  to  the  Countess.'] 
Yes,  I fortunately  met  a person  in  the  forest 
selling  what  I wanted,  and  took  it  to  Lotte. 
Poor  thing,  she  is  most  grateful.  Does  the 
Countess  know  her  case  ? 

Anna.  Yes,  indeed;  and  I have  already  given 
Bertha  directions  about  her  having  a nice  lodg- 
ing prepared  for  her. 

Gret.  God  bless  you,  Madam,  for  your  kindness; 
I said  I was  sure  you  would  not  let  her  suffer 
want  or  distress. 

Anna.  Yet  what  have  I done  compared  with  what 
you  have?  You,  a poor  girl  yourself,  devoting 
yourself  to  your  friend. 

Gret.  Oh,  it  is  nothing  for  me.  But  she  will  be 
coming  here  just  now  by  appointment,  and  per- 
haps, Ma’am,  you  would  not  like  being  seen 
with  me  by  her. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


47 


Anna.  No,  I think  it  is  better  not  at  present. 
Let  us  retire,  and  we  will  meet  again. 

Ber.  But  Gretchen  can  tell  you  more  of  what  we 
have  to  talk  about  than  I.  She  had  better 
come  with  us. 

Gret.  Willingly : Lotte  is  to  wait  here  for  me 
if  I am  gone. 

Scene  V. — As  they  are  going  out , enter  on  the  other  side , in  the 
background.  Children  (six  or  more),  with  little  baskets,  sing- 
ing as  below , as  they  gather  flowers  dispersed ; Lotte  also 
comes  in,  and  stands  apart.  Neither  she  nor  the  children  see  the 
Countess,  $c.,  who  pauses  at  the  side. 

[ The  same,  Lotte,  CHILDREN,] 

Anna.  What  a pretty  sight ! Let  us  stay  a mo- 
ment and  watch  it  here  apart. 

Children,  [singing.'] — 

CHORUS  OF  CHILDREN. 

I. 

Be ’t  ours  in  summer  bowers 
To  pick  our  Lady’s  flowers ; 

Lilies,  blue  bells,  and  wild  roses. 

ii. 

’Tis  good  in  wintry  wood 
To  gather  for  the  rood, 

Beaded  holly’s  prickly  posies. 


48 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


[They  stand  together . 

1st  Child.  That  is  one  of  the  many  pretty  songs 
that  dear  Lotte  taught  us. 

2nd  Ch.  Dear  Lotte ! I wonder  what  has  become 
of  her. 

3rd  Ch.  How  I should  like  to  see  her  again. 

Lotte.  [ who  has  stolen  in  behind , unseen — aside, ] 
Dear  children,  how  I love  them. 

1st  Cii*  How  stupid  it  was  of  us  this  morning  to 
run  away  on  account  of  that  poor  old  woman  in 
red. 

2nd  Ch.  But  she  was  a witch,  wasn’t  she? 

1st  Ch.  Witch  or  no  witch,  we  had  no  business 
to  run  away  while  Lotchen  was  there. 

2nd  Ch.  Certainly,  she  would  not  stay  a moment 
with  anything  wicked. 

3rd  Ch.  No,  nor  run  away  from  anything  that 
was  not  evil. 

1st  Ch.  I anl  so  sorry  to  have  acted  so  foolishly 
and  alarmed  my  parents. 

3rd  Ch,  And  brought  so  much  trouble  on  poor 
dear  Lotte.  I have  brought  my  bread  and 
some  fruit  from  dinner  for  her,  in  case  I should 
meet  her, 

2nd  Ch.  And  I put  my  good  mother’s  birthday 
present,  half  a florin,  in  my  pocket,  to  get  her 
a lodging  somewhere. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


49 


Anna,  [apart. ] See  what  a treasure  these  good 
ladies  parted  with  in  their  mistress. 

Ber.  How  the  children  love  her. 

Gret.  Love  her!  I should  think  so,  indeed.  And 
so  will  you  love  her  one  day,  Madam,  when  you 
know  her  as  well  as  we  do.  But  perhaps  not ; 
her  virtues  are  perhaps  better  suited  and  more 
congenial  to  us  poor  folks  than  to  great  ones, 
who  know  so  much  more. 

Anna.  No,  no.  It  is  from  the  poor  that  the  rich 
have  generally  to  learn  their  virtues.  But  see, 
Lotte  is  stepping  forward. 

[Lotte,  who  has  been  watching  and  listening  to  the  children  with 
great  emotion , unseen  by  them , rushes , much  agitated , into  the 
midst  of  them .] 

Lotte.  Children,  my  dear  children  ! 

Children,  [closing  round  her , clapping  their 
hands , and  seizing  hers , cry  out .]  Lotte,  dear 
Lotehen  I are  you  here?  Oh,  come  home  again. 
We  will  not  run  away  again  for  any  one. 

Lotte.  My  children,  I cannot  return,  at  least 
now.  What  a happiness  it  is  to  me  to  find  that 
you  still  love  me. 

Chil.  Yes,  indeed,  we  all  love  you. 

Lotte.  If  you  love  me,  practise  what  I have 
always  taught  you:  to  love  and  obey  your 
parents  above  all  on  earth.  If  your  love  to 
5 


50 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


them  clash  with  your  love  for  me,  you  know 
which  you  must  prefer.  And  you  have  sacred 
duties  towards  them,  but  no  longer  any  towards 
me.  Farewell,  my  children. 

Chil.  But  you  only  make  us  love  you  the  more 
by  speaking  thus. 

[Lotte  covers  her  face  with  her  hands.  The  children  make  a 
half  circle  round  her , and  sing .] 

CHORUS. 

I. 

Come  back  to  us,  Lotte  good, 

Never  seen  in  wayward  mood, 

Gentle  even  with  the  rude : 

Come  back  to  us,  mistress  good. 

II. 

Come  back  for  us,  Lotte  kind, 

To  our  failings  ever  blind, 

Forming  heart  as  well  as  mind: 

Come  back  for  us,  mistress  kind. 

in. 

Come  back  with  us,  Lotte  dear, 

Look  on  us  and  dry  that  tear, 

Children’s  love  bids  nought  to  fear: 
Come  back  with  us,  mistress  dear. 

[At  the  last  verse  the  curtain  drops.~\ 


END  OF  ACT  II. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


51 


ACT  III. 

Scene  I.— The  School  Garden .■  Bertha  and  GRETCHEN, 

meeting  from  opposite  sides.] 

Ber.  Well  met,  Gretchen,  have  you  done  all  we 
agreed  ? 

Gret.  Yes.  I have  been  to  the  boys’  school,  and 
find  the  men  gathering  there.  What  a feast  is 
laid  out  for  them ! everything  that  they  are 
most  sure  to  like. 

Ber.  Yes;  Franz,  the  Countess’  steward,  under- 
stands all  that  perfectly,  and  takes  a real  pleas- 
ure in  carrying  out  her  kind  purposes. 

Gret.  And  I am  sure  you  have  done  as  much  for 
the  ladies’  department. 

Ber.  You  have  seen  Lotte  ? She  will  come  ? 

Gret.  She  will  do  anything  she  is  desired.  Of 
course  it  was  a little  painful  to  her  to  meet  her 
late  patronesses.  But  the  moment  she  was  told 
that  the  Countess  wished  it,  she  consented  at 
once.  She  is  so  sweet,  and  then  so  grateful. 

Ber.  And  the  Countess  is  so  fond  of  her. 

Gret.  Then  tell  me,  Mam’selle  Bertha,  why  has 
she  never  sent  for  her,  or  gone  to  see  her,  as  she 
does  so  many  other  poor  people  ? I think  Lotte 


52 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBUKG. 


must  feel  a little  hurt;  but  she  has  never  com- 
plained; 

Ber.  You  will  know  soon.  You  remember  the 
Countess  wished  first  to  see  her  papers,  which 
she  has  done — indeed,  she  has  kept  them. 

Gret.  And  is  she  satisfied  ? 

Ber.  Quite ; they  clearly  make  out  her  claim  to 
be  the  orphan  daughter  of  a distinguished  officer, 
and  the  Countess  proposes  to  provide  for  her  as 
such. 

Gret.  Oh,  how  nice  for  dear  Lotchen,  and  how 
good  of  the  Countess  ! But  how  soon  will  this 
be  made  known  ? 

Ber.  Now,  immediately.  Indeed,  this  is  the  main 
object  of  the  feast.  The  Countess  wishes  to 
vindicate  Lotte’s  honor  and  declare  her  position 
in  the  face  of  those  who  have  so  insulted  and 
injured  her. 

Gret.  How  delightful!  I must  see  this — won’t 
I skip  and  jump  ! 

Ber.  Take  care,  Gretchen,  do  not  hurt  their  feel- 
ings more  than  is  necessary.  Come  with  me 
for  a moment,  then  return  to  keep  order  among 
the  children,  especially  when  Lotte  appears. 

[Exeunt. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


5?> 


Scene  II. — Enter  the  Children , except  2nd  and  3rd 

1st  Child.  AVe  are  not  all  here.  Where  are  Bar- 
bara and  Amelia  ? 

2nd  Ch.  [skipping  m.]  Here  I am,  and  Amelia 
is  coming. 

1st  Ch.  What  has  kept  you  back? 

2nd  Ch.  We  looked  into  the  school-room.  What 
a feast!  AVe  never  had  such  a one  before. 

3rd  Ch.  Oh,  what  a treat ! [Bounding  forward .] 
You  should  have  stopped  to  see  it. 

1st  Ch.  No  indeed ; I am  not  going  to  be  greedy, 
like  you. 

3rd  Ch.  Greedy ! it  is  indeed  enough  to  make 
one  greedy. 

All.  What  is  there?  Do  tell  us.  Never  mind 
Bridget’s  airs. 

3rd  Ch.  Why,  there  are  cakes,  and  jellies,  and 
creams. 

2nd  Ch.  And  all  sorts,  of  fruits  from  the  castle 
garden. 

3rd  Ch.  Aye,  and  from  the  hot-houses,  peaches, 
and  heaps  of  grapes. 

2nd  Ch.  And  there  are  two  huge  cherry  tarts, 
each  as  big  as  one  of  the  Countess’  carriage  hind 
wheels.  I can’t  conceive  where  they  were 
baked. 


5* 


54 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBERG. 


3rd  Ch.  And  two  plum  cakes,  the  size  of  the 
front  ones. 

All.  Oh,  how  nice! 

[Some  rub  their  hands , some  suck  or  smack  their  lips , and  all 
dance  about.'] 

1st  Ch.  You  need  not  be  so  excited.  All  the 
village  is  to  come;  and  depend  upon  it  we 
children,  though  the  first  come,  will  be  the  last 
served. 

2nd  Ch.  Oh,  as  to  that,  there  is  enough  for  three 
villages. 

3rd  Cii.  That  is  true.  But,  Barbara,  if  you  had 
staid  longer  with  me,  you  would  have  seen  that 
there  were  things  for  us  expressly,  and  not  for 
our  betters , as  they  like  to  call  themselves  on 
such  occasions. 

All.  What  was  that  ? 

3rd  Ch.  Well,  there  were  two  baskets,  immense 
ones,  on  one  side,  covered  with  napkins,  and  I 
could  not  resist  the  temptation  to  peep  under. 

1st  Ch.  For  shame,  Amelia.  Don’t  you  remem- 
ber how  Lotte  used  to  tell  us  never  to  try  to 
see  anything  that  was  shut  up  or  covered,  and 
teach  us  to  repress  our  curiosity  ? 

2nd  Ch.  Very  true,  but  now  that  she  has  looked, 
she  may  as  well  tell  us  what  the  baskets  con- 
tained. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


55 


3rd  Cn.  Well,  the  first  was  full  of  sugar  plums, 
comfits,  and  such  things,  which  could  only  be 
intended  for  us. 

1st  Ch.  Indeed  ! You  don’t  know  that  there  are 
such  things  as  grown-up  children,  who  will  take 
their  share  of  sweetmeats.  Well,  what  was  in 
the  next  ? 

3rd  Ch.  I thought  you  had  no  curiosity,  and 
would  not  take  advantage  of  mine. 

1st  Ch.  Certainly  I wouldn’t  have  looked;  and 
you  may  keep  it  all  to  yourself,  if  you  like. 

All.  No,  no;  do  tell  us. 

3rd  Ch.  Well,  there  was  the  most  lovely  collec- 
tion of  toys:  beautiful  dolls,  Noah’s  arks,  carts, 
and  I don’t  know  what  else.  Those,  of  course, 
must  be  intended  for  us. 

2nd  Ch.  No  doubt;  and  they  are  ours  by  right. 
But  I know  that  my  dear  mother  will  insist  on 
keeping  and  taking  care  of  mine  for  me,  and 
only  lend  them  to  me  on  some  grand  occasion, 
or  when  she  thinks  I am  very  good ; which  I 
am  sorry  to  say  is  not  often. 

Several.  That  is  too  bnd,  Barbara. 

1st  Ch.  Here  come  our  village  dames. 


56 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


Scene  III. — The  same , Plumper,  Zucker,  Semmel,  $c. 

Plump.  Here  you  are,  children ; always  first  when 
anything  is  to  be  got,  and  last  when  anything 
is  to  be  learnt;  as  my  man  Karl,  that  is  the 
Burgomaster,  says  every  morning  to  little  May 
at  school  hour. 

1st  Ch.  But,  Mother  Plumper,  we  were  told  to 
come ; and  Lotte  taught  us  always  to  obey. 

Plump.  Lotte,  Lotte,  always  Lotte.  Haven’t  you 
forgotten  her  yet  ? 

2nd  Ch.  No,  nor  never  will.  Won’t  she  come  to 
the  feast  ? 

Zuck.  I should  think  not , indeed.  The  Countess 
is  giving  us,  her  tenants,  a grand  treat : she 
knows  very  wTell  what  we  have  thought  it  our 
duty  to  do  by  Lotte.  And  so  you  think  she 
would  feast  us  just  after  it,  if  she  disapproved 
of  it? 

Sem.  On  the  contrary,  I should  think  she  ex- 
pressly wishes  to  show  her  concurrence  in  it. 

Children.  Poor  Lotte!  Poor  Lotchen  ! 

Plump.  Silence,  you  naughty  children.  Do  you 
imagine  that  the  Countess,  who  is  such  a reli- 
gious lady,  would  countenance  a person,  an  ut- 
ter stranger,  who,  for  the  first  time,  has  brought 
a wicked  witch  upon  her  property  ? 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


57 


Sem.  Well,  at  any  rate,  she  has  disappeared  for- 
ever, unless  that  foolish  girl  brings  her  back. 

Zuck.  But,  Dame  Plumper,  what  is  the  meaning 
of  this  festival?  You  ought  to  know. 

Plump.  Well,  I think  that,  if  any  one  does,  I 
ought.  Mam’selle  Bertha  gives  me  all  her  con- 
fidence, and  my  husband,  as  Burgomaster,  has 
a right  to  know  all  that  goes  on,  and  of  course 
has  no  secrets  from  me. 

Sem.  Then  is  that  story  true,  about  a great  lady 
having  come  to  the  castle,  and  having  to  come 
here  to-day  ? 

Plump.  Quite  true.  An  immensely  rich  and  no- 
ble lady  is  come  to  visit  the  Countess,  who  did 
not  know  her.  But  she  seems  to  be  really  the 
heiress  of  all  her  estates;  and  she  wants  to  bring 
her  to  see  the  village  in  holiday  trim.  I only 
hope  she  will  not  be  very  grand. 

2nd  Ch.  Oh,  I hope  she  will  be  as  grand  as  pos- 
sible. 

3rd  Ch.  Will  the  Countess  not  bring  her  in  her 
grand  state  carriage-and-four  ? 

Plump.  No,  child;  they  are  to  walk  quietly  down, 
but  they  will  go  back  through  the  village  in 
state. 

1st  Ch.  Oh,  what  a fine  sight  it  will  be.  How  I 
long  to  see  this  new  lady,  our  future  mistress ! 


58 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


Zuck.  For  my  part,  I only  hope  she  may  prove 
half  as  good  as  the  present. 

Sem.  Aye,  half  as  indulgent  to  her  tenants. 

Zuck.  Or  as  charitable  to  the  poor. 

Plump.  Or  as  gracious  to  the  respectable  inhab- 
itants. 

2nd  Cii.  Or  as  kind  to  children. 

Plump.  It  will  not  be  easy  to  have  another  like 
Countess  Anna.  But  it  is  getting  late.  Ha ! 
Miss  Bertha ; with  Gretchen,  too ! 

Scene  IV. — The  same , with  Bertha  and  Gretchen. 

Plump.  Miss  Bertha,  when  may  we  expect  the 
Countess  ? 

Ber.  In  a few  minutes.  She  has  left  the  castle. 
1st  Cit.  And  the  great  lady  with  her? 

Ber.  Yes,  child;  and  I am  sure  you  will  be  glad 
to  see  her. 

2nd  Ch.  Why  should  we  be?  For  my  part,  Pm 
sure  I would  much  rather  see  Lotte  again.  But 
it  seems  she  is  not  to  come  to  the  feast. 

Ber.  Why  not,  I should  like  to  know? 

[ Children  clap  their  hands.'] 

Plump.  I thought,  that  is,  we  all  thought,  that 

after  what  had  happened,  you  know, 

Ber.  Indeed,  I don’t  know  anything,  except  that 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROS  ENBUBG . 


59 


the  Countess  wishes  every  one  to  enjoy  her  feast, 
and  certainly  has  not  excluded  Lotte, 

Zuck.  Mam’selle  Bertha,  you  know  there  is  still 
a blank  of  a name  in  the  chorus  which  we  have 
been  learning.  Ought  we  not  to  know  the  name 
of  the  great  lady  in  whose  honor  it  is,  that  we 
may  put  it  in  ? 

Ber.  Of  course,  you  will  know  it  in  due  time. 
You  will  learn  it  in  a moment  when  told  you. 

Plump,  [aside  to  Bertha.']  Maufselle,  it  is  really 
becoming  late,  and — and — you  know  it  is  rather 
disparaging,  as  my  Karl,  the  Burgomaster,  calls 
it,  to  keep  the  principal  dames  of  the  village 
waiting  for  an  appointment.  It  lessens,  you 
know, 

Ber.  They  are  coming — I hear  the  click  of  the 
latch  at  the  gate. 

\All  look  that  way  : no  one  appears.  Gret.  goes  among  the 
children , on  the  other  side .] 

Gret.  Now,  my  dear  children,  they  are  coming. 
Behave  yourselves  well. 

All.  Never  fear,  Gretchen ; the  Countess  shall 
see  that  we  know  how  to  behave,  even  before 
persons  of  rank, 

\_All  continue  looking  towards  the  gate.~\ 

Sem.  I fear  it  has  been  a false  alarm ! Nobody 
seems  to  be  coming. 


60 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN BU EG. 


[, Suddenly  the  children  shriek  out  in  alarm  / the  elder  throw  them- 
selves into  attitudes , and  exhibit  gestures  of  dread,  as  LOTTE 
slowly  approaches , with  the  Witch  on  her  arm , as  before , totter- 
ing and  shaking , till  they  reach  the  middle  of  the  stage , where 
they  stand,  forming  the  centre  of  the  group. 

Gret.  [to  the  children , keeping  them  from  running 
away.~\  Now,  dear  children,  don’t  be  afraid. 
I heard  you  say  in  the  wood  that  you  would 
fear  nothing  that  Lotte  was  with.  See,  there 
she  is. 

Plump.  How  insolent ! } [All  at  once , shrinking 

Zuck.  How  horrible ! > aside. ] 

Sem.  How  wicked  1 ) All.  The  witch!  the  hag! 

Plump,  [out  of  breathy  and  pressing  her  c hesL] 
Miss  Lotte,  are  you  not  ashamed  to  appear  here 
after  all  that  has  happened? 

Zuck.  Yes,  you  bold  girl,  go  away,  do;  it  is  too 
bad. 

Sem.  To  make  everybody  else  miserable,  and  spoil 
our  feast.  Do  go. 

Lotte.  You  may  well  suppose,  ladies,  that  I have 
not  come  here  for  my  own  enjoyment.  But  I 
was  told  that  the  lady  of  the  feast  would  not 
come  if  I was  excluded — I do  not  know  why, 
for  I have  never  seen  her. 

Plump.  What ! the  new  great  lady  ? 

Lotte.  Yes. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEXBURG. 


61 


Plump.  [ laughing  contemptuously .]  Very  likely, 
indeed. 

Ber.  It  is  indeed  quite  true.  I told  Lotte  of  it 
myself. 

Sem.  Well,  that  is  puzzling. 

Lotte.  But  besides  that  reason,  I had  another, 
which  was  irresistible. 

Zuck.  Pray,  what  was  that  ? 

Lotte.  That  I found  this  poor  old  lady  sitting  on 
the  road-side,  not  being  able  to  get  here  for  the 
feast ; and  she  asked  me  to  give  her  my  arm, 
which  of  course  I could  not  refuse. 

Plump.  Of  course:  you  could  refuse  nothing  to 
your  old  friend,  the  witch. 

Zuck.  Take  her  away  at  once,  the  hideous  bel- 
dam. 

Sem.  Avaunt,  wicked  old  witch  ! 

Children.  Oh,  dear  Lotty,  take  her  away,  do. 

Lotte.  Shame,  ladies,  shame  ! My  children,  trust 
me.  Whom  among  you  all  has  this  poor  old 
and  helpless  creature  wronged  or  harmed  ? Does 
not  age  claim  reverence?  Does  not  infirmity 
call  for  compassion  ? Has  not  hunger  and  weak- 
ness a better  right  to  the  enjoyment  of  a feast 
than  youth  and  strength  ? 

Plump.  Feast,  did  you  say?  Do  you  mean  to 
say  that  that  wicked  old  thing  was  to  sit  down 
6 


62 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 

with  us  at  the  treat  ? I would  as  soon  eat  off  a 
dish  that  I had  seen  a black  spider  crawl  over, 
as  partake  of  a feast  at  which  she  sat  beside  me. 
Avaunt ! 

Lotte.  No,  Frau  Plumper,  we  will  not  interfere 
with  your  enjoyment.  My  poor  old  protegee 
and  I will  find  some  corner  apart,  or  a bench 
outside,  at  which  we  will  gladly  receive  the 
crumbs  that  you  can  spare  us.  But  when  you 
greet  loyally  and  affectionately  your  present  and 
your  future  mistresses,  the  prayers  for  blessings 
from  the  two  poorest,  the  aged  cripple  and  the 
homeless  orphan,  will  be  allowed  above,  to 
mingle  with  yours,  and  they  will  not  be  re- 
jected, as  they  are  by  you,  with  disdain. 

Plump.  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  you  will  keep 
her  here  to  face  the  Countess  and  her  heiress? 

Lotte.  Certainly,  and  without  fear.  I have 
never  seen  her  to  speak  to  her,  though  I have 
experienced  her  bounty.  But  if  half  that  I have 
heard  of  her  is  true,  she  will  never  drive  away 
the  old  and  suffering  from  her  feast. 

Plump.  That  is  very  possible;  she  is  so  exces- 
sively good.  But  that  does  not  make  it  less  the 
duty  of  her  faithful  and  loving  vassals  to  de- 
fend her  from  imposture  and  from  the  intrusion 
of  improper  characters,  which  witches  certainly 


are. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


63 


Lotte.  This  is  too  bad ! What  right  or  reason 
have  you  to  call  my  poor  companion  (who,  I 
hope,  does  not  hear  you)  by  such  disgraceful 
names  ? 

Zuck.  Put  an  end  to  this.  Do  not  let  the  Countess 
be  insulted  by  the  presence  of  such  a person  on 
her  estate. 

Plump.  Who,  I ? 

Sem.  Yes,  Dame  Plumper;  you,  as  the  Burgo- 
master’s wife,  ought  to  command  here. 

Plump.  I,  indeed ! I would  not  touch  her  for 
the  best  piece  of  broadcloth  at  Innspruck  fair. 

Lotte.  Once  more,  ladies,  I appeal  to  your  wo- 
manly and  kindly  feelings,  if  not  to  your 
charity.  Have  compassion  on  one  so  stricken 
with  years  and  infirmities.  The  hand  of  our 
Heavenly  Father  is  laid  heavily  upon  her,  that 
ours  may  lighten  the  burden.  In  doing  so,  it 
is  that  very  Hand  which  sheds  youth  and 
strength  on  you,  beauty  and  innocence  on  your 
children — that  you  take  hold  of  and  reverently 
raise  from  the  curved  shoulders  of  this  His 
aged  daughter.  He  loves  to  see  His  own  affec- 
tionate trials  no  less  affectionately  relieved. 

[ While  she  has  been  speaking , Bertha  has  gone  behind  Anna, 
and  placed  her  hands  on  her  shoulders.'] 

Plump.  That’s  right,  Mam’selle  Bertha,  lead  her 


64 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


quietly  out.  You  know  best,  and  have  courage 
to  do  what  you  know  to  be  your  good  mistress’ 
pleasure. 

Lotte,  [to  Bertha.']  O Miss  Bertha,  do  you  go 
with  them?  Am  I left  alone?  Am  I mis- 
taken in  my  estimate  of  the  Countess’  char- 
acter ? 

Ber.  I must  do  my  duty,  Lotte. 

Lotte,  [weeping.]  Well,  even  so;  I will  not 
abandon  my  poor  old  charge,  made  dearer  to 
me  by  the  abandonment.  I will  lead  her  out. 

[The  Countess  drops  her  stick.  At  the  signal , Bertha  un- 
clasps her  cloak  and  draws  off  the  hood  and  cloak.  The 
Countess  Anna  stands  erect , in  the  middle.  Lotte  lets 
go  her  arm  and  modestly  retreats  back.  All  are  seized  with 
shame  and  astonishment .] 

All.  The  Countess  ! Countess  Anna  ! 

[All  are  in  confusion  and  disorder  for  some  time.'] 

Plump.  Pardon,  Madam. 

Zuck.  and  Sem.  Forgive  us,  Countess.  We  did 
not  know  it  was  you,  or  else 

Anna.  Of  course  you  did  not,  my  good  friends. 
However,  my  disguise  has  enabled  me  to  hear 
the  kind  things  you  have  said  of  me  personally, 
though  at  the  expense  of  the  poor  supposed 
witch.  But  I miss  one  here.  Where  is  my 
faithful  guide  and  fearless  champion?  [Goes  to 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


65 


Lotte , takes  her  hand , and  brings  her  forward  on 
her  right.']  Here  is  one  who  truly  knows,  and 
has  taught  me  real  charity.  Till  now  she  has 
never  seen  me,  nor  has  she  known  to  whom 
she  has  been  kind.  She  intended  all  her  good- 
ness to  be  bestowed  on  the  old,  the  powerless, 
the  deformed,  and  the  unamiable.  Come,  my 
child,  and  let  me  publicly  acknowledge  myself  a 
debtor  to  you  for  the  lessons  you  have  taught 
me,  as  well  as  for  the  alms  you  have  bestowed 
on  me. 

All.  Alms ! Is  it  possible  ? 

Anna.  Yes,  alms;  nay y gold. 

Plump,  \_rather  maliciously.]  Oh,  then  she  was 
not  so  poor  when  she  left  us  as  some  people 
pretended. 

Anna.  No,  for  she  was  rich  in  virtue.  But  listen 
to  the  history  of  her  alms.  When  I intruded 
on  these  children  and  frightened  them  from 
school — for  which  I am  trying  to  make  up  to- 
day by  drawing  them  to  school — 

Children,  interrupting  ] O thanks,  thanks ! 
How  good ! 

A^nna.  My  intention  was  to  try  this  girl,  who  had 
inspired  me  with  an  inexplicable  affection,  from 
what  I heard  of  her,  and  saw  from  a distance — 
an  affection  quite  inexplicable  to  me  till  now. 

6* 


66 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN  BURG. 


By  the  experiment,  I wished  to  learn  if  she  was 
really  courageous  in  her  charity, ‘and  worthy  to 
be  joined  to  my  faithful  Bertha  in  the  distribu- 
tion of  my  little  aims. 

Zuck.  Do  not  call  them  little,  Madam. 

Plump.  Is  o,  indeed ; we  know  them  too  well  for 
that. 

Anna.  Well,  this  child,  Lotte,  at  once  gave  me 
proof  of  her  intrepidity  by  supporting  me  and 
offering  me  harbor  in  her  cottage.  But  I was 
not  prepared  for  evidence  of  her  lavish  charity. 

Lotte.  O dear  Madam,  say  nothing  about  it;  I 
now  know  how  bold  I was  and  how  presumptu- 
ous to  treat  you  so.  But,  indeed,  I did  not 
know  you. 

Anna.  Peace,  child.  I must  do  my  duty.  She 
took  out  a gold  piece  and  slipped  it  modestly 
into  my  hand.  It  is  to  commemorate  this 
orphan’s  gift  that  I have  summoned  and  am 
going  to  treat  you  to-day. 

Several.  How  so,  Madam? 

Anna.  Well,  listen.  I saw  that  the  piece  had 
been  worn  round  the  neck  as  a keepsake  or 
medal,  for  it  had  a sacred  figure  on  it.  I at 
once  recognized  it  as  one  worn  by  a brave  young 
officer,  once  most  dear  to  me,  but  killed  while 
gallantly  doing  his  duty.  [ Weeps  ; Lotte  starts .] 


THE  WITCH  OF  KOSENBUKG. 


67 


He  was  Lotte’s  father.  She  is  no  longer,  there- 
fore, what  you  and  I have  believed  her.  She  is 
nobly  born,  and  I have  called  you  all  together 
to-day  to  recognize  her  before  you  all,  as  what 
she  is,  and  give  her  a position  more  worthy  of 
her  birth.  Henceforward  she  must  be  treated 
as  she  deserves,  and  be  suitably  provided  for. 

Lotte,  [overpowered .]  O Countess,  generous  and 
truly  noble,  I deserve  not  all  this  goodness,  and 
especially  all  this  public  recognition  and  praise. 
I am  willing  to  labor  for  my  bread,  and  try  to 
do  good  silently,  rather  than  deprive  the  more 
deserving  of  your  bounty. 

Gret.  I am  sure,  if  any  one  deserves  every  bless- 
ing, it  is  you,  who  have  never  failed  to  be  good 
to  every  one.  Madam,  let  me  be  the  first  to 
thank  you  for  your  generous  reward  of  virtue. 
Dear  Lotchen  is  worthy  of  all  your  kindness 
and  honor. 

All.  Yes,  yes ! All  blessing  to  Lotte  ! 

Plump.  But  pardon  me,  Madam,  if  I am  taking 
a liberty  in  saying  that  we  understood  you  had 
a still  greater  purpose  in  assembling  us. 

Anna.  What  is  that  ? 

Plump.  We  were  told  that  we  were  to  have  the 
honor  of  being  presented,  and  of  paying  our 
homage  to  a rich  and  noble  lady,  your  guest  and 


68 


THE  WITCH  OF  BOSENBUBG. 


heiress;  whom,  consequently,  after  the  many 
years  of  happiness  with  which  we  pray  heaven 
to  bless  you,  our  children  may  have  to  honor, 
though  we  can  scarcely  hope  they  will  love  as 
we  do  you,  as  lady  of  Rosenburg,  and  mistress 
paramount. 

Anna.  You  are  quite  right,  Dame  Plumper. 

Zuck.  Will  that  noble  dame  be  soon  here? 

Anna.  [ taking  Lotte  by  the  hand .]  She  is  already 
before  you.  This  is  that  high-born  and  worthy 
lady,  heiress  by  birth,  as  well  as  by  deserts,  of 
all  my  worldly  estate,  and  of  much  more. 


Anna.  A few  words  will  explain  all.  But  first, 
come  to  my  heart,  my  darling  niece  ! I have 
done  violence  to  my  feelings  thus  far,  for  your 
sake,  but  now  I can  bear  it  no  longer.  \_They 
embrace  in  tears  and  sobbing .]  To  have  seen 
so  much  virtue  in  one  so  young  did  indeed  de- 
light me.  But  to  have  discovered  in  one  so 
close  and  dear  to  me,  by  holiest  ties,  is  beyond 
my  hopes  or  deserts. 

I told  you  that  to  Lotte’s  alms — I must  still 
call  you  so 

Lotte.  Oh,  yes,  yes,  always.  Never  call  me  any- 
thing but  Lotte. 


Plump.  Most  marvellous ! 
Zuck.  How  wonderful ! 
Sem.  How  extraordinary ! 


All  at  once  in 
great  amazement . 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


69 


The  Children,  [ dapping  their  hands.']  Yes, 
Lotchen,  Lotchen,  nothing  else. 

Anna,  Well,  to  those  alms  you  owe  your  present 
festival.  The  officer,  by  whom  I recognized  it, 
having  been  worn  from  boyhood,  and  who  was 
Lotte’s  father,  was  my  dear  brother,  the  Count 
Ludwigron  Rosenburg.  Had  not  Lotte’s  ex- 
treme charity  prompted  her  to  part  with  so 
precious  a memorial,  to  relieve  an  old  witch,  as 
everybody  thought  her,  she  might  have  re- 
mained a village  schoolmistress  all  her  life. 
The  train  thus  begun  was  followed  up.  Lotte 
carried  about  her  papers  which,  though  incom- 
plete, through  my  dear  brother’s  death,  fur- 
nished the  clue  to  certain  information  that  leaves 
no  doubt  that  she  is  his  child  by  a marriage 
which  he  had  no  time  to  make  known.  And 
her  mother’s  death  left  her  a helpless  orphan,  in 
a distant  province.  And  to  confirm  all,  better 
proof  to  my  affections  than  all  the  lawyer’s 
parchment,  is  this  miniature  left  by  her  mother 
to  her.  [ Talcing  it  out.] 

Ber.  And  pardon  me,  Madam,  if  I have  reserved 
till  now  a discovery  which  I made  only  this 
morning. 

Lotte.  What  is  that  ? [Eagerly.] 

Ber.  Besides  the  perfect  likeness  of  her  brother, 


70 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


which  the  Countess  found  in  the  front  of  the 
locket,  I discovered  that  the  back  opened  with 
a spring,  concealing  locks  of  two  persons’  hair, 
with  the  names  in  enamel  of  Count  Ludwig 
and  Charlotte  Bluhm. 

Lotte.  [ starting  and  agitated .]  My  dear  mother’s 
name. 

Gret.  Yes,  and  yours,  ever  since  I have  known 
you. 

Anna.  Then  there  is  no  doubt  of  this : that  you 
have  in  this  my  niece,  the  true  heiress  of  my 
brother,  real  Count  of  Rosenburg.  All  that 
you  see  is  her’s — that  castle,  that  village,  and 
all  the  family  estates.  I have  kept  them  care- 
fully for  such  a chance,  and  shall  retire  to  my 
own,  my  mother’s  property. 

Lotte.  No,  never,  never  let  that  be.  I entreat 
and  implore  you  not  to  leave  the  spot  on  which 
your  virtues  are  adored  by  all  your  people. 

Plump.  No,  indeed,  you  must  not  leave  us, 
Countess!  The  young  and  new  lady  will  enjoy 
all  our  confidence  and  affection,  for  we  have  now 
learnt  her  real  worth. 

Zuck.  And  I am  sure  she  will  forgive  any  past 
misunderstanding. 

Children.  We  have  always  loved  you,  Lotte; 
won’t  you  come  and  see  us,  and  bring  the 
Countess  with  you  ? 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


71 


Lotte.  To  be  sure  I will. 

Gret.  As  for  me,  I can  only  ask  to  be  your  maid, 
to  be  with  you  sometimes.  [. Bashful  and  sor- 
rowful.~\ 

Anna.  Her  maid?  You,  her  truest  and  best 
friend?  No,  I am  sure  you  will  continue  such, 
and  be  to  her  what  my  faithful  Bertha  is  to  me : 
my  right  hand  and  true  heart  in  doing  and  ad- 
vising the  little  good  I am  able  to  do. 

Lotte.  A thousand  thanks,  dearest  aunt;  but  how 
shall  I learn  the  new  duties  of  this  unexpected 
condition  of  life  without  the  wisdom  of  your 
advice  and  the  example  of  your  virtues  ? No, 
we  must  not  separate. 

Anna.  Then  be  it  so.  I do  not  think  we  shall 
quarrel. 

Plump.  [ cheerfully .]  We  now  know  what  name  to 
put  in  our  song.  But  how  shall  we  distinguish 
in  future  between  our  two  countesses? 

Anna.  Oh,  you  must  call  Lotte  in  future  by  the 
title. 

Sem.  And  you,  Madam  ? 

Anna.  [ laughing .]  Oh,  you  may  call  me  the 
u Witch  of  Rosenburg.” 

Gret.  [pertly.~\  No,  indeed,  Madam.  Pardon  me, 
but  as  you  have  placed  me  in  Lotchen’s  house- 
hold, it  is  my  duty  to  defend  her  rights  and 
claim  her  titles. 


72 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBU RG. 


Anna.  Well,  how  is  she  a witch?  She  has  not 
appeared  in  a red  cloak,  nor  with  a broomstick. 

Gret.  No,  Ma’am ; but  still  I maintain  her  right 
to  the  name.  She  has  scarcely  been  three 
months  here,  and  she  has  fascinated  all  the 
children  of  the  village,  so  as  to  make  them  love 
her  dearly.  Is  it  so,  children  ? 

Children.  Yes,  yes,  indeed. 

Gret.  As  for  myself,  I do  not  know  what  phil- 
tores  or  love  potions  she  has  used ; but  she  has 
certainly  bewitched  me  to  fondness  for  her,  such 
as  I have  never  felt  for  any  one  else.  You 
must  answer  for  yourself,  Countess. 

Anna.  Truly,  I can  say  the  same.  Go  on. 

Gret.  She  has  thrown  a spell  over  those  ladies 
which  has  completely  changed  them  towards 
her;  for  I am  sure  they  honor  and  love  her 
virtues  as  well  as  respect  her  rank. 

Plump,  <fcc.  We  do,  we  do,  most  heartily. 

Gret.  Only  one  thing  remains  which  only  a witch 
can  do. 

Ber.  What  is  that  ? 

Gret.  Transform  herself. 

Anna.  How  has  Lotte  done  this  ? 

Gret.  She  has  transmuted  herself,  not  into  a hare, 
or  a black  cat,  or  an  owl ; but  into  a Countess 
from  a schoolmistress,  and  from  a poor  orphan 
girl  into,  Madam,  your  dear  child. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSEN BURG. 


73 


Anna.  Bravo,  Gretchen,  you  are  right.  Lotte's 
has  been  the  true  magic,  for  it  has  required  but 
one  charm  to  do  all  this. 

All.  And  what  is  that  ? 

Anna.  Virtue . 

CHORUS. 

i. 


WOMEN. 

Up,  from  mountain,  plain  and  valley, 
Huntsmen,  peasants,  rise  and  rally 
Round  our  hospitable  Dame ; 

Peal  aloud  your*  horns  and  voices 
Till  the  dimmest  peak  rejoices 
In  the  echo  of  her  name. 

[ This  is  repeated  by  men' s voices,  with  hunting-horns 
accompaniment,  very  distant,  like  an  echo  of  the  women's 

song .] 

II. 

WOMEN. 

For  this  day  both  birth  and  merit 
MEN. 

[ Repeat  as  above,  but  nearer.] 

* Our  in  the  men's  repetition. 

7 


74  the  witch  of  rosenburg, 

WOMEN. 

Give  us  one  who  shall  inherit 

MEN. 

[Repeat,  nearer  still .] 

WOMEN. 

All  the  virtues  of  her  race : 

MEN. 

[ Repeat , nearer.] 

ALE. 

[ The  men  close , though  not  seen.] 

Long  live  Lotchen,  fearless  maiden, 
Be  her  head  with  blessings  laden, 
Radiant  be  her  brow  with  grace. 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG. 


75 


EPILOGUE. 

SPOKEN"  BY  GRETCHEN. 

I. 

As  once  his  walk  the  good  St.  Philip  took, 
Along  the  Chiesa  Nuovo’s  corridor, 

He  met  a father,  with  demurest  look, 

Creeping  along  the  wall  to  the  church  door. 

ii. 

Standing  in  front,  he  brought  him  to  a stand, 
Leaning  upon  his  trusty  walking  staff; 

And  with  his  well-worn  rosary  in  hand, 

Eyed  him  so  quaintly  as  to  make  him  laugh. 

in. 

Then  said  : a My  father,  whither  on  so  fast? ” 

“ Not  very  fast,”  the  old  man  said,  “ but  soon 
’Twill,  after  twenty-one,*  strike  the  half-past; 
And  ?tis  my  turn  to  preach  this  afternoon.” 


IY. 

u To  preach  : is  that  all  ? Please  to  go  up-stairs, 
And  for  my  children  a nice  drama  write; 

Better  to  make  them  happy,  than  say  prayers, 

In  whom  good  angels  take  their  chief  delight.” 

* The  Italian  hours  used  to  run  to  twenty-four,  which  was. 
all  the  year  round,  half  an  hour  after  sunset. 


76 


THE  WITCH  OF  ROSENBURG 


V. 

“But,  Father  Philip,  crowds  are  in  the  church: 
You  would  not  rob  them  of  this  means  of  grace?7* 
“ Oh,  no  ! we  must  not  leave  them  in  the  lurch : 
Tell  Father  Chrysostom  to  take  your  place. 

YI. 

“ He7s  always  ready.  Any  one  can  preach, 

But  very  few,  like  you,  can  write  a play.” 

“ And  fewer  can,  like  you,  dear  Philip,  teach 
How,  than  to  preach,  7tis  better  to  obey.77 

YII. 

Now,  you  those  kindly  spirits  imitate, 

Clergy  or  laity,  our  good  honored  friends, 

Who  come  our  feast  to  share  or  consecrate ; 

He  highest  draws  our  thanks,  who  lowest  bends.* 

* Addressed  to  the  Bishop,  if  present. 


& 1.  * 


: 


' 


/ 


33540 


t 

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